Showcase for gingerbread

Holiday dessert raffle to aid cancer victims and their families

Photos by Chuck Kirman / Star staff
Chef Paulette Lambert works on a healthy gingerbread house for The Wellness Community Valley/Ventura gingerbread showcase, a benefit set for Sunday.

As a registered dietitian at the Four Seasons in Westlake Village, Paulette Lambert took a healthy twist on a holiday tradition with a gingerbread house made of dried fruits, nuts, grains and beans.

"Our gingerbread house is unique because it is constructed of natural materials that represent foods that are all good for you," said Lambert of Westlake Village, director of nutrition for the California Health and Longevity Institute inside the Four Seasons. "You will be surprised at how Mother Nature provides great building materials for a house."

Lambert is among a handful of chefs who donated their time to make a gingerbread house to be raffled off at The Wellness Community's first-ever gingerbread house showcase Sunday in Westlake Village.

The free family event will feature professionally crafted gingerbread houses created by local chefs from Command Performance Catering, Mastro's Steakhouse, Monrose Catering Company and TC Bakery.

The event will give guests the chance to build their own creations while raising awareness of The Wellness Community's biggest fundraiser of the year, the 17th annual Holiday Homes Tour in December, which helps the organization provide free support, education and hope to people with cancer and their loved ones.

"Personally this project is important to me because, as a nutritionist, I know that a healthy diet and lifestyle can dramatically reduce chronic disease," Lambert said. "In my professional life and at the California Health and Longevity Institute, we believe in prevention and support the work of the Wellness Community."

Since its start 17 years ago, The Wellness Community Valley/Ventura has been an important part of the community, said Suzanne Drace, president of The Wellness Community Valley/Ventura.

"We love having events like this that are joyful and family-oriented, because we love being part of this community," Drace said. "All of the proceeds from the opportunity drawing and from Holiday Homes Tour tickets purchased at the gingerbread event will help to fund The Wellness Community's free programs of support, education and hope for people fighting cancer and for their families."

All proceeds remain in the community and provide direct services to more than 2,300 cancer patients and their families, she said.

"Community events like Holiday Homes Tour and the gingerbread event are also a great way for people to learn more about us," Drace said. "Unfortunately, everyone knows someone who has been affected by cancer. We would love for everyone to know that there's a place that offers free support and resources as well."

Having the event at The Wellness Community will allow the public to see what the organization is all about and will spread the word that The Wellness Community is available for those with cancer who are seeking education on their disease, the support and caring of others and hope for the future, agreed Judi Magee of Woodland Hills, event co-chair who helped coordinate a similar event in New York.

"We are sure the gingerbread event will be a success, and we look forward to expanding on it for next year," Magee said.

While the event is geared for all children, it particularly targets children of relatives who are fighting cancer or who have cancer, said Jane Troy of Camarillo, event co-chair.

"The benefit is family time together, a few hours of not thinking of their disease and for others being introduced to The Wellness Community Valley/Ventura as a place for resource and support for cancer patients and their families," Troy said.

"Too many people are being diagnosed with it," she said. "My sister has Stage 4 lung cancer. When someone is diagnosed, the entire family and network of people around that person are affected.

"If someone is willing to reach out and ask for support, they are able to get it from The Wellness Community Valley/Ventura."